Torque wrench with audio and visual indicator

Abstract

A torque wrench, basically exemplified by a torque beam having a driver at one end, a grip at its other end and apparatus associated with said driver and beam providing an observable read-out of any torque that may be developed during use of the wrench, particularly distinguished by a system for defining a prescribed torque limit in use thereof having means associated therewith for producing a highly distinctive alarm signal the nature of which is such to produce an instantaneous torque limiting response of the user at precisely that time the level of the torque applied to said beam reaches said prescribed limit. In a preferred embodiment the system for producing said signal is located in connection with a housing which is releasably based on and secured to said beam immediately of its grip, the means through which the signal is triggered is functionally related to a portion of said read-out apparatus and the alarm signal is preferably provided by a source of light and optionally by a source of sound.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A torque wrench comprising a driver, an elongated torque beam having opposite end portions, one of said end portions secured to said driver, handle grip means secured to the other said end portion of said torque beam, an elongated indicator rod having opposite end portions, one of said end portions of said indicator rod secured to said driver and positioning said indicator rod generally parallel to said torque beam, a signal unit carried by said other end portion of said torque beam and receiving the other said end portion of said indicator rod, said signal unit including a housing having an arcuate surface extending laterally across said torque beam, a graduated scale on said arcuate surface for indicating both clockwise torque and counter-clockwise torque applied to said driver with said torque beam, an arcuate electrical contact member for clockwise torque and a separate arcuate electrical contact member for counter-clockwise torque, said housing having an arcuate support surface supporting said contact members in adjacent overlapping relation, means adjacent said scale for independently adjusting each of said contact members laterally along said support surface for selecting a predetermined corresponding torque, an indicator alarm adapted to be actuated by a battery power supply, electrical circuit means for connecting said alarm to the battery power supply through said torque beam and said indicator rod and through both of said contact members, and means on the other said end portion of said indicator rod for contacting either of said contact members at the preselected torques on said scale to complete an electrical circuit to said alarm in response to bowing of said torque beam and corresponding lateral movement of said scale and said contact members to provide an indication when either clockwise torque or counter-clockwise torque reaches the corresponding preselected torque. 
     
     
       2. A torque wrench as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said contact members includes a portion projecting to said scale to provide said adjusting means, and said means on said indicator rod comprise an electrical conducting element projecting to said scale between said portions of said contact members. 
     
     
       3. A torque wrench as defined in claim 1 and including clamping means for releasably securing said contact members to said support surface after said contact members are adjusted laterally to the preselected torques. 
     
     
       4. A torque wrench as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing defines and arcuate slot extending adjacent said scale, and said contact members include corresponding portions projecting into said slot to provide for adjusting said contact members. 
     
     
       5. A torque wrench as defined in claim 4 wherein said means on the other said end portion of said indicator rod comprise an electrical conducting element projecting into said slot between said corresponding portions of said contact members. 
     
     
       6. A torque wrench as defined in claim 4 wherein said housing has a second arcuate surface adjacent said slot and supporting a second arcuate graduated scale, and said adjusting portions of said contact members are disposed between said scales. 
     
     
       7. A torque wrench as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing defines a chamber for receiving a pair of cylindrical batteries in axial alignment extending laterally with respect to the torque beam, and said alarm comprises a light bulb within said housing. 
     
     
       8. A torque wrench comprising a driver, an elongated torque beam having opposite end portions, one of said end portions secured to said driver, handle grip means secured to the other said end portion of said torque beam, an elongated indicator rod having opposite end portions, one of said end portions of said indicator rod secured to said driver and positioning said indicator rod generally parallel to said torque beam, a signal unit carried by said other end portion of said torque beam and receiving the other said end portion of said indicator rod, said signal unit including a housing having a support surface extending laterally across said torque beam and means forming a graduated scale extending laterally across said torque beam for indicating both clockwise torque and counter-clockwise torque applied to said driver with said torque beam, an electrical contact member supported by said support surface for clockwise torque and a separate electrical contact member supported by said support surface for counter-clockwise torque, means for independently adjusting each of said contact members laterally adjacent said scale for selecting a predetermined corresponding torque, means for releasably securing said contact members to said support surface after said contact members are adjusted laterally to the preselected torques, an indicator alarm adapted to be actuated by a battery power supply, electrical circuit means for connecting said alarm to the battery power supply through said torque beam and said indicator rod and through both of said contact members, and means on the other said end portion of said indicator rod for contacting either of said contact members at the preselected torques on said scale to complete an electrical circuit to said alarm in response to bowing of said torque beam and corresponding lateral movement of said scale and said contact members to provide an indication when either clockwise torque or counter-clockwise torque reaches the corresponding preselected torque. 
     
     
       9. A torque wrench as defined in claim 8 wherein said securing means comprise an electrical conductive element forming part of said circuit, and threaded means for clamping said element against said contact members. 
     
     
       10. A torque wrench as defined in claim 8 wherein said housing defines a chamber for receiving said alarm and the battery power supply, and an electrical conducting member for connecting the battery power supply to said torque beam. 
     
     
       11. A torque wrench as defined in claim 8 wherein said housing defines an arcuate slot extending adjacent an arcuate viewing surface, said scale being disposed on said viewing surface, and said contact members include corresponding means projecting through said slot to provide for adjusting said contact members. 
     
     
       12. A torque wrench as defined in claim 11 wherein said means on the other said end portion of said indicator rod comprise an electrical conducting element projecting into said slot between said corresponding adjusting means on said contact members. 
     
     
       13. A torque wrench as defined in claim 11 wherein said housing has a second arcuate surface adjacent said slot and supporting a second arcuate graduated scale, and said adjusting means on said contact members are disposed between said scales. 
     
     
       14. A torque wrench as defined in claim 8 wherein said housing defines a chamber for receiving a pair of cylindrical batteries in axial alignment extending laterally with respect to the torque beam.